Black Student Empowerment and Chicago

Current school reform efforts in Chicago have gained national attention, but little is known about the struggle for educational reform that took place in the 1960s. Black students, surrounded by the organizing in their communities and the events shaping the civil rights and Black Power movements, moved to correct the injustices they experienced at their schools in 1968. After several protests at individual schools, students organized citywide boycotts demanding community control, Black administrators, more Black history courses, and various other school improvements. Their protests led to increased Black administrators and increased Black history courses. The most significant accomplishment was the organized efforts to improve their education.